Vintage New Old Stock vinyl by the yard — yummy retro colors, patterns and embossing

Hey: The company’s been adding more patterns since we first posted this story! Look again!

When I researched sources for midcentury furniture leg ferrules, I discovered IFSCO Industries, Inc. — a real deal ‘retro’ company that has been in business since 1946. Turns out, the company’s roots are in “cushioning products” — and it is sitting on a large a stockpile of vintage vinyl patterns from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s — perfect to recover vintage dinette chairs… make a banquette… or possibly use for patio furniture. The the company also has lots of New Old Stock vinyl wall wallcoverings.

1960s Palace vinyl

IFSCO Industries, Inc. will celebrate its 70th anniversary in just two years. It was founded in 1946 by now the father and uncle of Tim Casper, who is now president of the company, which was originally known as Illinois Fibre Specialty Co, Inc. — ergo IFSCO.

About IFSCO Industries from their website:

Chicago entrepreneurs Casimir Kasper and his brother John identified the need for quality, affordable cushioning products to supplement the limited offerings available to the furniture industry. Their collaborative efforts led to the formation of Illinois Fibre Specialty Co., Inc.

Having been in business since 1946, the Company has accumulated a vast library of dies, molds and patterns to product the most modern to the very retro-styles furniture parts as well as contemporary to traditional vinyl fabric patterns.

1960s paisley vinyl in Purple

1960s paisley vinyl in Pewter

1960s paisley vinyl in Honey

Every employee in our manufacturing and distribution process is an important part of creating IFSCO’s reputation for exceptional value….

According to Tim, the company is an active national distributor of both domestic and imported vinyl today. But because of its long history, it also has a large stockpile of vintage vinyl colors and patterns from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s — some is leftover stock, some is vinyl that the company received to settle debts from other companies that were going out of business. Tim says there are many colors and patterns, including flowered, woodgrain and “unusual stuff” that is all discontinued New Old Stock.

1960s Morningstar vinyl

Included in the company’s stockpile is a selection of vintage vinyl that is specified for use as a wall covering — mostly for kitchen backslashes, or wall coverings that were often used in RVs and Airstream vintage trailers. He said this ‘wall’ vinyl is not rigid, and is much thinner than what would be used to cover chairs because it doesn’t have to stand up to the friction and constant abuse from people sitting on it. This type of vinyl would typically be adhered to a wall board-like substrate and can be likened to a heavy duty vinyl wallpaper of sorts.

1960s Season Flower vinyl

If readers are looking to replace the vinyl on a vintage dinette set that they have acquired, Tim says it is possible for IFSCO Industries to try and match the material with some of their NOS vinyl. He advises anyone wanting to try to find a match for their vintage dinette set to turn over one of their chairs and take a small snipping off the bottom of the seat to send to the company. Since the vinyl under the seat has not been subjected to years of dirt, grime, fading from the sun and abuse, it should most closely reflect the fabric’s original coloring. Once IFSCO receives this swatch, they can check to see if they have anything in stock that would be a match in color or pattern.

IFSCO Industries has worked with indiviuals looking for specialized vinyl in the past, including a man who specialized in restoring vintage Studebakers from the 1950s. In addition to finding vintage vinyl for this customer, the company had some of their new vinyl dyed and regrained to very closely match the original seat coverings from the Studebakers.

If you can’t find the right color in the company’s retro vinyl archives, Tim suggests checking out the Premiere and Pentagon styles, which offer a rainbow of colors to choose from.

IFSCO Industries, Inc. does most of their business with large scale orders, which explains why some products have a minimum order amount, but both their vintage vinyl and new vinyl can be purchased by the yard.

Mega thanks to IFSCO Industries, Inc. company president Tim Kasper for answering my many questions for this story.

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Comments

Last year at an estate sale I bought a few rectangles of the Jacqueline vinyl pictured at top. I was thinking of making placemats out of it. I love the pattern and was wishing I could find more to recover some chairs in my kitchen and boom here it is! Now I just need to figure out how much I would need! Great story!

Another great resource is Osgood’s in West Springfield, MA! You won’t find any of it online, but they have tons of dusty old bolts of weird (and wonderful) fabrics in the back shelves of their warehouse. I used to sew with vinyl and they were my go-to place for finding anything.

Wow, this place is only a mile from my house! I’ll have to check them out. My husband and I joke about the south side of Chicago being the land that time forgot. Can’t say I’m surprised that they are located here.

I am looking for some vinyl material to recover a 50’s style chair. The vinyl that is on there now is a beautiful aqua-turquoise satiny vinyl, which I would love to find. How do you buy from here? There is no information for purchasing. How much is the material? Is this just to show us what is available but can’t purchase? I don’t understand? Please help. Thank you, wanting to purchase

Did you see their furniture parts too? Metal ferrules for furniture legs, swivel floor glides, metal tube caps, etc… All stuff I thought wasn’t made or could be found anymore, and in virtually every size to restore your vintage furniture:

Has anyone ever successfully ordered from this company? I tried to order 10yards and they only ship ups freight that cost approximately, $1500… I talked to customer service and they were slightly difficult…. :/